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In addition, the company will provide staging and décor for a host of private events surrounding the inaugural, ranging from outdoor building decorations along Pennsylvania Avenue to private inaugural parties and galas to the Texas State Society Trade Show.

Hargrove has been a major contractor for every Presidential Inaugural since the 1949 inauguration of Harry Truman. “Preparations for every inaugural take place in a very short time frame, but the event takes place on the world stage. That’s why Hargrove’s experience in producing inaugural events over the past 55 years is so important,” said company president Earl C. Hargrove who has worked on each inaugural since 1949.

The company’s design team worked closely with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to capture the feel of a grand old style inaugural with contemporary touches. “The main stage at the balls will have a slightly neo-classic feel, reflecting traditional Washington architecture in two large columns and a striking red, white, and blue background; but a contemporary feel in the large bold blocks of color, heavy floral treatments and curved back wall,” said Hargrove design director David Solsbery. The official inaugural seal and banner will complete the stages.

In addition to installing ball décor for six balls in the Washington Convention Center, Hargrove will work continuously at the National Building Museum, Union Station, and the Washington Hilton, where décor must be installed for pre-inaugural dinners on January 19 and then changed overnight for balls on January 20.

As it has since 1949, Hargrove will provide spectacular floats for the Inaugural Parade. The 32-foot-long theme float for the parade is a large scroll depicting the preamble to the United States Constitution. It will carry the theme, “Celebrating Freedom-Honoring Service.” A 45-foot-long float depicting selected Texas symbols will honor President Bush and will be towed by an eight-foot Texas State Seal. A 45-foot-long float depicting Wyoming scenes and symbols will honor Vice-President Cheney and be towed by a unit covered by an authentic 1862 Conestoga wagon. A 20-foot platform float will carry a group of Hawaiian dancers and a self-propelled 28-foot Circus Bandwagon will carry an Oregon hand bell choir. The finale float will be a 63-foot-long American flag towed by a 36-foot tall American Eagle.

Among the ancillary inaugural events Hargrove will service are events sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business, the American Legion, the Republican National Committee, the Ohio Republican Party, the National Republican Campaign Committee, an Agriculture Ball sponsored by the agriculture industry, and a concert at the National Building Museum.

Hargrove will be working in more than 20 venues around Washington with the first installation beginning January 11 and work continuing through January 20.

Contact: Marvin A. Bond 301-306-4665 or marvinbond@hargroveinc.com